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A Short Analyis
catty ) by the Grand Chapter of Scotland . As a member of the Grand Chapter of Scotland , I object most strongly to any arguments founded on tbe supposed right of subordinate chapters to grant Mark warrants out of their jurisdiction .
The Regulations of the Grand Chapter of Scotland , dated 1848 , of course ' had only reference to its own jurisdiction . I therefore agree with the Grand Scribe E . ( p . 5 ) that the above " was a step which no supreme body could tolerate . "
The St . John ' s Lodge . No . 3 bis , Glasgow , r s \ certainly obtained the decision of the ' - ^ Grand Lodge in favour of its working the Mark Degree ( ancl also for other lodges ) , and the Grand Lodge of Scotland ( the Grand Scribe
E . states ) was " compelled to admit that the Mark Degree , as practised by them , was in point of fact a part of the Fellow-Craft Degree . " Now , notice the words " as practised by them . " It
does not follow , then , that the Mark Degree is actually and always a part of the Second Degree , from this decision , but only that the Mark Degree , " as practised by the St . fohn ' s Lodge , " was apart of the Second Desyce .
It seems to me this point has been overlooked . There has not been sufficient evidence accumulated as yet to justify any one in positively asserting the original connection of the Mark Master ' s Degree with the Fellow-Craft . For
every item of proof adduced to prove this apparent connection , I undertake to produce other evidences to establish the fact of the independence of the Mark Master ' s Degree , at least during the LAST , if not during the present century .
The following minute entered into between the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter ' of Scotland is a case in point , viz ., " That this degree [ i . e ., the Mark ] , whether
viewed as a second part of the Fellow-Craft Degree , or as a separate degree , has never been recognised or worked in England , Ireland , or the Continent , or in America , as a part of St . fohn ' s Masonry . "
We have , therefore , only to consider Scotland , and in confirmation of the superior position of the Mark Master ' s Degree to the Master Mason ( superior as respects gradation in a Rite ) even in Scotland , I would instance thc Regulations of
the " Operative Lodge cf Banff , " January 7 th , 177 S , which provide "That in time coming all members that shall hereafter raise to the Degree of Mark Mason shall pay one merk Scots , but not to obtain the-Degree of Mark Mason before
they are passed Fellow-Craft . And those that shall take the Degree of Mark Master Masons « hall pay one shilling and sixpence sterling into the Treasurer for hehoofe of the Lodge . None to attain to the Degree of Mark Master Masons untill they are raised Master . " *
This is the earliest minute I have as yet seen on thc subject , and although many speak so much about the Mark Degree in connection with St . John ' s Lodge , Glasgow , no minutes of
any . importance or antiquity have been produced to prove such connection , and it is questionable after all whether an earlier minute than the one just quoted of 1778 can be found in Scotland .
I have no hesitation in saying that the St . ,,, John ' s Lodge , No . 3 bis ( and in this ' •" respect it is but as all other lodges ) never worked the Mark Degree before 173 6 .
As a degree , it was unknown then in any country , and all that old minutes state simply cmifirms the ancient custom of " choosing the Mark . "
The interesting observations of Rro . Kerr o ( representative of tlie G . L . of Scotland ) do not prove the Mark Degree was known in 159 S in connection with " Mary Chapel" Lodge , Edinburgh . The name of the
Fellow-Craft or Master , as also his mark , had to be inserted in the Book kept for that purpose , but no ceremony is ever mentioned , and the words Mark Degree , or anything approaching them , never occur , for the simple reason that , as & degree , the Mark Master was then unknown .
There are several records still preserved of the 17 th and 18 th centuries that illustrate our position , and abundant evidence has been accumulated to satisfy the most exacting that no degree whatever is alluded to in the ancient
records of Craft Masonry for which Scotland is so famous , but all that can be claimed is that a mark was selected and registered , and a fee was exigible in consequence . " Mother Kilwinning Lodge , " Ayrshire , in the
17 th century , charged four shillings as a fee for choosing the mark . In' the Mark Book of the old Lodge at Aberdeen , dating from 1670 , there is no
trace of any ceremony in connection with the selection of the mark , nor is there in the minute books of Lodge "Journeymen , " No . 8 , Scotland .
In the Records of the ancient Loslge at Alnwicke ( Northumberland ) marks are generally attached to the signatures from the first decade of the last century . In the ancient Records of Haushfoot Lodge
Scotland , no mention is made of either the Third or of the Mark Degrees . These minutes commence 22 nd Dec , 1702 , and end 1763 . At a meeting of the old lodge at Brechin , Scotland , " 27 day of December , 1714 years ,
being the anniversary of the Holly Apostle St . John , " it was resolved " That each Meason shall insert his mark in this book , and shall pay thirteen shillings Scots' moe for booking their mark . "
In all these records , and also in others , nothing has been found that alludes to either the Mark Degree or the Master Mason ' s Degree before 1716 . The Fellow-Crafts simply chose their marks , which were registered on payment
of the Fee , and there the matter ended . The Masters being in official positions , and not members of a superior degree to the Fellow-Craft . Bro . D . Murray Lyon , of Ayr ( a great authority on ancient Masonry in Scotland ) , positively
declares that " Up to within a short period of the abdication of St . Clair of the Protectorate of the Craft , there is a total absence from lodge records of any allusion to secret Masonic Rites other than what was embraced in giving thc
Mason ' s word . " This same authority ( who wrote the "History of Mother Kilwinning Lodge , " and is now engaged in doing a similar important work for the " Mary Chapel , " No . 1 , Edinburgh ) has stated it to be his decided
conviction that there was no Mark Degree before 1736 in Scotland . In thc remarkable award made respecting Lotlge "Journeyman , " and "Mary Chapel" of 1715 ( a copy of which wc have now before us ) no mention is made of anv
degrees , but the " mason word" often occurs . We would gladly welcome a few words on this interesting . subject from our old friend and brother , D . Murray I . yon , and we feel sure our readers would also .
I should be very sorry to hear of lhc Grand 11 ( ' ) Chapter of Scotland acknowledging the ' * Mark Master ' s Degree as a part ofthe Fellow-Craft Degree , especially as in the ceremonies of thc latter throughout all last century
the Mark Master is nowhere even alluded to or noticed in any way , so far as we can judge . It is only for those who think otherwise to produce a minute or record of a Mark Master ' s Degree in an old lodge , to disprove our
statement . Thc Grand Chapter of Scotland is de jure the conservator of the degree in Scotland , and not the Oro ' nd Lodge . _ Bro . A . T . Pierson says that "At no period since the revival of Masonrv A . D . 1717 has the
ceremony or ritual ofthe Kellow-Cr . ift Degree , as practised anywhere assimilated to the ceremony or ritual of any of the degrees known by the
name of Mark . " This remark is to be found in " Traditions of Masonry , " published by thc Masonic Publishing Company , New York , and the statement is true of all America .
We have a record of the Mark Mastei ' i Degree when worked in Boston during the last century , which proves the lodge was originally held distinct from other degrees , and that on Nov . 28 , 1792 , it was united to those generally worked in connection with ttye Royal Arcl ) , Several independent
Mark lodges were held in the United . States during this period by Master Masons . As a contribution towards clearing up the ,, , character of the Mark Grand Lodge 13 ' ' about 1857 I submit the following from
the " Masonic Observer " for that year : — " At a meeting of Mark Masters held at Freemasons' Tavern , London , 30 th May , 1857 , presided over by Lord Leigh , Bro . Havers opposed the degree as neither ancient nor of value .
* Bro . Smith in answer stated that the Mark degree flourished in the midland counties , and to the knowledge of living Masons has never ceased to work for the last sixty years . " .... ;' " At the Mark Grand Lodge December nth ,
1867 , Bro . Matthews , as an old member tor sixteen years of the " Kent Lodge" of Mark Masters , Bro . Lazarus , for twenty-six years a member ofthe " Royal Cumberland" Bath , Bro . Barnard , who had the degree conferred on him
fifteen years ago in a lodge whose warrant dated back into the last century , and Bro . Burdy who had the degree conferred on him in 1823 , " were all present , and testified to the Mark degree being worked in England for many years ,
I have never yet seen a warrant granted ( ,, , by the " Ancients " during the last cen' ' ' tury to work the Mark degree . Some have claimed to be in possession of documents , but so far their pretensions have been unfounded .
Such an important statement as the authorisation of the Mark degree by the " Ancients " should be supported by evidence , as an ipse dixit is of little weight , especially when the existence of such warrants is generally doubted .
Bro . Kerr ' s sketch of Masonry is a most valuo y- •1 able one . Undoubtedly , these ancient ' ' lodges were speculative as well as operative , although mainly die latter . John Earl of Cassillus , was Deacon of the Lodge of Kilwinning A . D . 1672 , and Lord Eglinton in 1674 .
These , Bro . D . Murray Lyon declares , are the earliest instances yet found of non-professional architects or builders holding office in a Scotch Masonic Lodge . It has been often remarked ( and even Bro . Lawrie has supported the
statement ) that Thomas Boswell , Esq ., was Warden of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) in 1660 After an examination of the records , Bro . Lyon assures me such was not the case . He
only attended once , and then was not the Warden of the lodge . This shows the need of care in the reception of statements which are unsupported hy authentic quotations .
I challenge Bro . Kerr to prove that thc Lodge . ... of Journeymen worked the Mark O- l Master ' s DEGREE in 1707 . Bro . Hunter , who wrote the history ofthe lodge never claimed such a distinction for it , and in his excellent
history of that lodge , which is to be found m thc Freemasons' Magazine ( Parts 3 anti 4 , . D . 1858 ) , in speaking of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . r ( of which No . 8 was an " offshoot " ) , the author observes : "A distinction is kept up between
the Masters and individuals who held the rank of Fellow Craft and Apprentice , but nothing , so far as I have observed , is said about any ceremony being used at the advancement of a Follow Craft to a Master Mason , or about any
fees being paid for giving such a degree . It seems , indeed , doubtful if the lodge , from its commencement down to the formation of the Grant ! Lodge , practised anything more than the two degrees of Apprentice and Fellow Craft .
The Masters rcfeired to 111 almost every one of the er . r ' y minutes are , therefore , likely to have been merely masters in trade , and not Masters in the sense in which they arc now regarded in thc Masonic lodges of this country
Most ofthe Fellow Cralis took a mark , which is generally inserted in the books after their names , and which they no doubt engraved on the r tools , and carved on the stones which they
prepared . For obtaining a mark they paid a sum of money . " We readily admit that in early days the marks were taken by the Fellow Craft ? , ancl thus Fellow Crafts had selected marks before they became
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Short Analyis
catty ) by the Grand Chapter of Scotland . As a member of the Grand Chapter of Scotland , I object most strongly to any arguments founded on tbe supposed right of subordinate chapters to grant Mark warrants out of their jurisdiction .
The Regulations of the Grand Chapter of Scotland , dated 1848 , of course ' had only reference to its own jurisdiction . I therefore agree with the Grand Scribe E . ( p . 5 ) that the above " was a step which no supreme body could tolerate . "
The St . John ' s Lodge . No . 3 bis , Glasgow , r s \ certainly obtained the decision of the ' - ^ Grand Lodge in favour of its working the Mark Degree ( ancl also for other lodges ) , and the Grand Lodge of Scotland ( the Grand Scribe
E . states ) was " compelled to admit that the Mark Degree , as practised by them , was in point of fact a part of the Fellow-Craft Degree . " Now , notice the words " as practised by them . " It
does not follow , then , that the Mark Degree is actually and always a part of the Second Degree , from this decision , but only that the Mark Degree , " as practised by the St . fohn ' s Lodge , " was apart of the Second Desyce .
It seems to me this point has been overlooked . There has not been sufficient evidence accumulated as yet to justify any one in positively asserting the original connection of the Mark Master ' s Degree with the Fellow-Craft . For
every item of proof adduced to prove this apparent connection , I undertake to produce other evidences to establish the fact of the independence of the Mark Master ' s Degree , at least during the LAST , if not during the present century .
The following minute entered into between the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter ' of Scotland is a case in point , viz ., " That this degree [ i . e ., the Mark ] , whether
viewed as a second part of the Fellow-Craft Degree , or as a separate degree , has never been recognised or worked in England , Ireland , or the Continent , or in America , as a part of St . fohn ' s Masonry . "
We have , therefore , only to consider Scotland , and in confirmation of the superior position of the Mark Master ' s Degree to the Master Mason ( superior as respects gradation in a Rite ) even in Scotland , I would instance thc Regulations of
the " Operative Lodge cf Banff , " January 7 th , 177 S , which provide "That in time coming all members that shall hereafter raise to the Degree of Mark Mason shall pay one merk Scots , but not to obtain the-Degree of Mark Mason before
they are passed Fellow-Craft . And those that shall take the Degree of Mark Master Masons « hall pay one shilling and sixpence sterling into the Treasurer for hehoofe of the Lodge . None to attain to the Degree of Mark Master Masons untill they are raised Master . " *
This is the earliest minute I have as yet seen on thc subject , and although many speak so much about the Mark Degree in connection with St . John ' s Lodge , Glasgow , no minutes of
any . importance or antiquity have been produced to prove such connection , and it is questionable after all whether an earlier minute than the one just quoted of 1778 can be found in Scotland .
I have no hesitation in saying that the St . ,,, John ' s Lodge , No . 3 bis ( and in this ' •" respect it is but as all other lodges ) never worked the Mark Degree before 173 6 .
As a degree , it was unknown then in any country , and all that old minutes state simply cmifirms the ancient custom of " choosing the Mark . "
The interesting observations of Rro . Kerr o ( representative of tlie G . L . of Scotland ) do not prove the Mark Degree was known in 159 S in connection with " Mary Chapel" Lodge , Edinburgh . The name of the
Fellow-Craft or Master , as also his mark , had to be inserted in the Book kept for that purpose , but no ceremony is ever mentioned , and the words Mark Degree , or anything approaching them , never occur , for the simple reason that , as & degree , the Mark Master was then unknown .
There are several records still preserved of the 17 th and 18 th centuries that illustrate our position , and abundant evidence has been accumulated to satisfy the most exacting that no degree whatever is alluded to in the ancient
records of Craft Masonry for which Scotland is so famous , but all that can be claimed is that a mark was selected and registered , and a fee was exigible in consequence . " Mother Kilwinning Lodge , " Ayrshire , in the
17 th century , charged four shillings as a fee for choosing the mark . In' the Mark Book of the old Lodge at Aberdeen , dating from 1670 , there is no
trace of any ceremony in connection with the selection of the mark , nor is there in the minute books of Lodge "Journeymen , " No . 8 , Scotland .
In the Records of the ancient Loslge at Alnwicke ( Northumberland ) marks are generally attached to the signatures from the first decade of the last century . In the ancient Records of Haushfoot Lodge
Scotland , no mention is made of either the Third or of the Mark Degrees . These minutes commence 22 nd Dec , 1702 , and end 1763 . At a meeting of the old lodge at Brechin , Scotland , " 27 day of December , 1714 years ,
being the anniversary of the Holly Apostle St . John , " it was resolved " That each Meason shall insert his mark in this book , and shall pay thirteen shillings Scots' moe for booking their mark . "
In all these records , and also in others , nothing has been found that alludes to either the Mark Degree or the Master Mason ' s Degree before 1716 . The Fellow-Crafts simply chose their marks , which were registered on payment
of the Fee , and there the matter ended . The Masters being in official positions , and not members of a superior degree to the Fellow-Craft . Bro . D . Murray Lyon , of Ayr ( a great authority on ancient Masonry in Scotland ) , positively
declares that " Up to within a short period of the abdication of St . Clair of the Protectorate of the Craft , there is a total absence from lodge records of any allusion to secret Masonic Rites other than what was embraced in giving thc
Mason ' s word . " This same authority ( who wrote the "History of Mother Kilwinning Lodge , " and is now engaged in doing a similar important work for the " Mary Chapel , " No . 1 , Edinburgh ) has stated it to be his decided
conviction that there was no Mark Degree before 1736 in Scotland . In thc remarkable award made respecting Lotlge "Journeyman , " and "Mary Chapel" of 1715 ( a copy of which wc have now before us ) no mention is made of anv
degrees , but the " mason word" often occurs . We would gladly welcome a few words on this interesting . subject from our old friend and brother , D . Murray I . yon , and we feel sure our readers would also .
I should be very sorry to hear of lhc Grand 11 ( ' ) Chapter of Scotland acknowledging the ' * Mark Master ' s Degree as a part ofthe Fellow-Craft Degree , especially as in the ceremonies of thc latter throughout all last century
the Mark Master is nowhere even alluded to or noticed in any way , so far as we can judge . It is only for those who think otherwise to produce a minute or record of a Mark Master ' s Degree in an old lodge , to disprove our
statement . Thc Grand Chapter of Scotland is de jure the conservator of the degree in Scotland , and not the Oro ' nd Lodge . _ Bro . A . T . Pierson says that "At no period since the revival of Masonrv A . D . 1717 has the
ceremony or ritual ofthe Kellow-Cr . ift Degree , as practised anywhere assimilated to the ceremony or ritual of any of the degrees known by the
name of Mark . " This remark is to be found in " Traditions of Masonry , " published by thc Masonic Publishing Company , New York , and the statement is true of all America .
We have a record of the Mark Mastei ' i Degree when worked in Boston during the last century , which proves the lodge was originally held distinct from other degrees , and that on Nov . 28 , 1792 , it was united to those generally worked in connection with ttye Royal Arcl ) , Several independent
Mark lodges were held in the United . States during this period by Master Masons . As a contribution towards clearing up the ,, , character of the Mark Grand Lodge 13 ' ' about 1857 I submit the following from
the " Masonic Observer " for that year : — " At a meeting of Mark Masters held at Freemasons' Tavern , London , 30 th May , 1857 , presided over by Lord Leigh , Bro . Havers opposed the degree as neither ancient nor of value .
* Bro . Smith in answer stated that the Mark degree flourished in the midland counties , and to the knowledge of living Masons has never ceased to work for the last sixty years . " .... ;' " At the Mark Grand Lodge December nth ,
1867 , Bro . Matthews , as an old member tor sixteen years of the " Kent Lodge" of Mark Masters , Bro . Lazarus , for twenty-six years a member ofthe " Royal Cumberland" Bath , Bro . Barnard , who had the degree conferred on him
fifteen years ago in a lodge whose warrant dated back into the last century , and Bro . Burdy who had the degree conferred on him in 1823 , " were all present , and testified to the Mark degree being worked in England for many years ,
I have never yet seen a warrant granted ( ,, , by the " Ancients " during the last cen' ' ' tury to work the Mark degree . Some have claimed to be in possession of documents , but so far their pretensions have been unfounded .
Such an important statement as the authorisation of the Mark degree by the " Ancients " should be supported by evidence , as an ipse dixit is of little weight , especially when the existence of such warrants is generally doubted .
Bro . Kerr ' s sketch of Masonry is a most valuo y- •1 able one . Undoubtedly , these ancient ' ' lodges were speculative as well as operative , although mainly die latter . John Earl of Cassillus , was Deacon of the Lodge of Kilwinning A . D . 1672 , and Lord Eglinton in 1674 .
These , Bro . D . Murray Lyon declares , are the earliest instances yet found of non-professional architects or builders holding office in a Scotch Masonic Lodge . It has been often remarked ( and even Bro . Lawrie has supported the
statement ) that Thomas Boswell , Esq ., was Warden of the Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) in 1660 After an examination of the records , Bro . Lyon assures me such was not the case . He
only attended once , and then was not the Warden of the lodge . This shows the need of care in the reception of statements which are unsupported hy authentic quotations .
I challenge Bro . Kerr to prove that thc Lodge . ... of Journeymen worked the Mark O- l Master ' s DEGREE in 1707 . Bro . Hunter , who wrote the history ofthe lodge never claimed such a distinction for it , and in his excellent
history of that lodge , which is to be found m thc Freemasons' Magazine ( Parts 3 anti 4 , . D . 1858 ) , in speaking of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . r ( of which No . 8 was an " offshoot " ) , the author observes : "A distinction is kept up between
the Masters and individuals who held the rank of Fellow Craft and Apprentice , but nothing , so far as I have observed , is said about any ceremony being used at the advancement of a Follow Craft to a Master Mason , or about any
fees being paid for giving such a degree . It seems , indeed , doubtful if the lodge , from its commencement down to the formation of the Grant ! Lodge , practised anything more than the two degrees of Apprentice and Fellow Craft .
The Masters rcfeired to 111 almost every one of the er . r ' y minutes are , therefore , likely to have been merely masters in trade , and not Masters in the sense in which they arc now regarded in thc Masonic lodges of this country
Most ofthe Fellow Cralis took a mark , which is generally inserted in the books after their names , and which they no doubt engraved on the r tools , and carved on the stones which they
prepared . For obtaining a mark they paid a sum of money . " We readily admit that in early days the marks were taken by the Fellow Craft ? , ancl thus Fellow Crafts had selected marks before they became